Stearns County Prepares for Presidential Primary as Absentee Voting Begins

(KNSI) – Voting is about to get underway for the presidential primary.

Starting on Friday, absentee ballots will be available at the Stearns County Service Center in Waite Park or the Lake George Municipal Complex in St. Cloud during normal business hours. A drop box is also set up at the service center. Only Stearns County residents can vote at the two locations. St. Cloud residents in Benton or Sherburne County must vote in their local auditor-treasurer’s office. In-person voting for the presidential primary is March 5th.

Stearns County Director of Elections Roxanne Gerads explained that voters need to keep one important thing in mind. “The voter, when they come in, they’re going to need to state what their party is. That’s private information. The only people it will be shared with is the chair of that political party. So, if you don’t want to choose a party, then you will not be able to vote.”

The three choices are the Democratic, Republican, and Legal Marijuana Now parties.

Gerads talked with KNSI’s Bob Hughes about new legislation designed to get more people voting in 2024. “One of them is the felon voting rights restored. So, if they’re not incarcerated, they are eligible to vote. So, if they’re standing in front of you, they can vote.”

Minnesota also passed a law that when you renew your driver’s license or update your address, you will automatically be added to the voter registration program. Teenagers getting their driver’s licenses are now pre-registered to vote at 16. Teens will be able to cast a ballot after their 18th birthday.

For more information on this year’s voting, click here.

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